Barred Owl and Bike at Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness

Here is my recent article “Urban Wilderness draws hikers, runners, cyclists” about my the Knoxville Urban Wilderness, particularly the Ross Quarry area. While the article does contain some great pictures by me, here are a few more. All photos here are by me.

Map of Ijams Quarry’s area.

Sunbather at Mede’s Quarry Swimming Area, Ijams Nature Center

Tower built for chimney swifts near the Imerys Trail entrance.

Ross Marble Quarry Sign, Imerys Trail.

Quarry Ruins near the Keyhole.

Wildflowers near Ijams Keyhole.

View down into Ross Quarry Lime Pit

The owl that I mentioned in the News Sentinel piece linked above was a barred owl.

Barred owl seen at Ijams on Imerys Trail.

When barred owls are young they can climb trees using their talons and beak. They don’t migrate and in general, stay in the same place. For more about them, check out Cornell’s page on them.
Also, here’s a video of a cyclist Alex riding the Flow Trail.